Absorption and distribution of inorganic mercury in rats fed a copper-supplemented diet

The effect of a diet supplemented with copper (50 ppm) on the uptake and distribution of a single trace dose of ²⁰³HgCl₂ in rats was investigated. The copper-supplemented diet depressed the carcass retention and organ content of mercury-203 given intragastrically. Alterations were accompanied with disturbances in the organ mercury-203 contents. Moreover, the supplements of copper also affected the elimination of an intraperitoneal dose of mercury-203 from the rat body. It is suggested that the alterations in the kinetics of mercury-203 distribution probably resulted from interaction between copper and mercury at the absorption site and from the interaction in the organs. The supplement of copper effectively increases body weight gains and reveals no effect on organ/body ratios and copper contents in organs.